English Online Dictionary. What means silicon? What does silicon mean?
English
Pronunciation
- enPR: sĭl'ĭkən, (UK, US, Canada, General Australian) IPA(key): /ˈsɪlɪkən/
- enPR: sĭl'ĭkŏn′
- (Received Pronunciation, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈsɪləkɒn/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈsɪləˌkɑn/
Etymology 1
Coined by Scottish chemist Thomas Thomson as a modification of the earlier name silicium, from the stem of Latin silex (“flint, silica”) + -on from carbon.
Noun
silicon (usually uncountable, plural silicons)
- (chemistry, uncountable) A nonmetallic element (symbol Si) with an atomic number of 14 and atomic weight of 28.0855.
- Synonyms: (obsolete) silicium, (obsolete) silicum
- (chemistry, countable) A single atom of this element.
Usage notes
Do not confuse silicon with silicone.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
See also
- agate
- amethyst
- asbestos
- clay
- feldspar
- flint
- glass
- granite
- hornblende
- jasper
- mica
- opal
- quartz
- rock crystal
- sand
Etymology 2
From the silicon chips used in computers.
Noun
silicon (uncountable)
- (slang) Computing.
- (slang) A computer processor.
- Abbreviation of silicon chip.
Derived terms
- silicon lottery
Further reading
- David Barthelmy (1997–2025) “Silicon”, in Webmineral Mineralogy Database.
- “silicon”, in Mindat.org[1], Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, 2000–2025.
Romanian
Etymology
Borrowed from French silicone.
Noun
silicon m (plural siliconi)
- (chemistry) silicone
Declension
Noun
silicon n (plural silicoane)
- (informal, chiefly in the plural) breast implant
Declension
Related terms
- siliciu
Welsh
Etymology
Borrowed from English silicon, a modification of silicium, from Latin silex (“flint, silica”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈsɪlɪˌkɔn/
- Rhymes: -ɪlɪkɔn
Noun
silicon m (uncountable, not mutable)
- silicon
- Synonym: callestrai
Further reading
- R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “silicon”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies